Our Trips

With over 200 journeys worldwide, our award-winning trips offer an incredible range of experiences for every interest and ability. Our journeys feature amazing Trip Leaders and fascinating itineraries that give you an utterly unique experience. Wilderness Travel has been consistently voted as one of the World's Top 5 Operators by Travel & Leisure readers.

A Cultural Odyssey to Samarkand and Beyond

Overview

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan—sometimes known as the four ’Stans—reveal a rich historical and ethnic canvas, filled with dazzling scenery and a multitude of architectural wonders. From the blue-domed Silk Road oasis of Samarkand, where Tamerlane once held sway, to Issyk-Kul, a vast alpine lake surrounded by the forested peaks of the Tien Shan, our journey with veteran Central Asia Trip Leader Roger Williams brings us through the heart of the Silk Road. We’ll enjoy a full exploration of these four countries, roaming ancient bazaars that take us back to the times of the Arabian Nights, meeting local families and traditional artisans, and exploring seven World Heritage Sites, including magnificent Bukhara, a 2,000-year-old city wrapped in medieval mosques, and Khiva, a walled town isolated in a vast desert. Join us for the ultimate Silk Road adventure!

Excellent exposure to the heart of Central Asia. I really got a feel for the culture, people, and environment.
— Allen N., San Rafael, CA

Itinerary at a Glance

After exploring Almaty, we head to remote Karakol, a town on the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, one of the largest alpine lakes in the world. We visit the colorful market, a summer encampment of Kyrgyz nomads, and fascinating lakeside petroglyphs. En route to Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, we visit the striking 11th century Burana tower, a Silk Road monument, and stop in a village for lunch with a local family.

Days 10-13, Sep 24-27, 2021
Tashkent, Uzbekistan / Samarkand

After exploring Bishkek, we fly to the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, Central Asia’s biggest hub, and tour its Old Town. We then take a train to ancient Samarkand, with its breathtaking main square, the Registan, a panorama of handsome blue-tiled mosques. We also visit the Shahr-i-Zindah, one of Tamerlane’s first creations, the famed market at the village of Urgut, and enjoy lunch at the home of a local Uzbek family. A day’s excursion brings us out to Shakre Sabz, birthplace of Tamerlane.

Days 14-18, Sep 28-Oct 2, 2021
Bukhara / Khiva

We head to historic Bukhara, with two full days to savor this fascinating city, whose beautifully restored medieval quarter is a World Heritage Site. We visit the covered bazaars and mulberry-shaded plazas where old men play chess and enjoy roaming Bukhara’s marvelous markets. On our train ride to Khiva, we take in the scenery of the sand dunes of the Kyzyl-Kum Desert, then enjoy a full-day walking tour of this atmospheric walled city.

Crossing the Turkmenistan border, we head to Kunya Urgench, with its pre- and post-Mongol monuments, then fly to Ashgabat, the Turkmen capital, an ancient city surrounded by the Kara-Kum (“black sands”) desert. Flying to southeastern Turkmenistan, we visit the vast ruins of ancient Merv, once one of the most important cities along the Silk Road and now a stunning World Heritage Site. Back in Ashgabat, we enjoy a full-day tour of the capital city of Turkmenistan, including the famous archaeological site of Nisa, which served as the winter capital of the Parthian rulers. Depart from Ashgabat on Day 24.

Central Asia Explorer

Highlights

Highlights

Issyk-Kul Lake in the Tien Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan

Ancient Samarkand, capital of Tamerlane, with its magnificent blue mosques

Seven World Heritage Sites including the Silk Road cities of Bukhara and Khiva

Details

Length:
24 days

Cost From:
TBA

Arrive:
Almaty, Kazakhstan

Depart:
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Lodging:
23 nights in hotels

Meals:
All meals included as indicated in the Detailed Itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:

Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:

Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples: